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NFL power rankings: Saints, Chargers lead way into 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 20: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) and New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) talk during a TV timeout during the NFC Championship Football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints on January 20, 2019 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 20: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) and New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) talk during a TV timeout during the NFC Championship Football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints on January 20, 2019 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – FEBRUARY 03: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the first quarter of Super Bowl LIII between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots on February 3, 2019 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – FEBRUARY 03: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the first quarter of Super Bowl LIII between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots on February 3, 2019 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

team. 47. . . . New England Patriots. 5

2019 Key Additions: Once again, it’s been an offseason in Foxborough where there were plenty of big names leaving the NFL’s reigning dynasty. Gone are standout performers such as defensive end Trey Flowers, left tackle Trent Brown, defensive tackle Malcom Brown and cornerback Eric Rowe. And there was also the retirement of superstar tight end Rob Gronkowski. The incoming include defensive end Michael Bennett, tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas. Bill Belichick maneuvered through the draft and wound up with 10 players, including first-round wide receiver N’Keal Harry (Arizona State) and third-round defensive end Chase Winovich (Michigan).

Offseason Review: It’s a franchise that has reached the playoffs an NFL-record 10 consecutive years and counting. Belichick’s team has reached the Super Bowl four times in the past five seasons and taken home the Lombardi Trophy three times over that span. Once again, the departures seem daunting. And in terms of talent, the Patriots don’t necessarily stack up with some of the other teams in the conference as it stands right now. But it’s April and not December, when the club is usually playing its best football. Tom Brady has shown few signs of slowing down. As warned, don’t get too caught up in this current ranking.

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